Sri Lanka and New Zealand will go in search of a semi-final slot when the pair tackle each other in the ICC Cricket World Cup in Colombo.
New Zealand created a massive upset when they beat South Africa in the quarter-finals, while former champions Sri Lanka thrashed England by ten-wickets to book their slot.
The Kiwis captain Daniel Vettori says the team is proud of their achievement against South African, but warned his side it must quickly put that game behind them and focus on the dangerous Sri Lanka.
“We need to move on pretty quickly from the South Africa game,” the versatile spinner said.
“We are proud of our achievement but we have to concentrate on this game now.”
Following their win over England, where the batsmen dominated, skipper Kumar Sangakkara says Sri Lanka is ready for the next challenge.
“The expectations are always there, that’s not something that we can control,” he said.
“What we really want to do is to make sure that when we go out, we stay in the moment and we concentrate on what we have to do and make sure our focus is 100%.”
Sangakkara also praised the performance of openers Upul Tharanga and Tillakaratne Dilshan who hit an undefeated partnership of 229 on Saturday in the win over England, but admits those performances don’t come around too often.
“There’s no room for complacency at all and there’s no chance of that happening in anyone’s minds.
“The main reason it seemed an easier match than we expected (against England) was because our openers put on a magnificent performance – those kind of partnerships don’t come round too often.
“Tomorrow is the only day that counts at this moment. It’s a new game – it’s nothing to do with England, we are starting from square one.”
Likely Sri Lanka team: Upul Tharanga, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Thilan Samaraweera, Chamara Silva, Angelo Mathews, Lasith Malinga, Rangana Herath, Ajantha Mendis, Murali Muralidaran.
Likely New Zealand team: Martin Guptill, Brendon McCullum, Jesse Ryder, Ross Taylor, Kane Williamson, Scott Styris, James Franklin, Daniel Vettori, Jacob Oram, Tim Southee, Daryl Tuffey.
New Zealand created a massive upset when they beat South Africa in the quarter-finals, while former champions Sri Lanka thrashed England by ten-wickets to book their slot.
The Kiwis captain Daniel Vettori says the team is proud of their achievement against South African, but warned his side it must quickly put that game behind them and focus on the dangerous Sri Lanka.
“We need to move on pretty quickly from the South Africa game,” the versatile spinner said.
“We are proud of our achievement but we have to concentrate on this game now.”
Following their win over England, where the batsmen dominated, skipper Kumar Sangakkara says Sri Lanka is ready for the next challenge.
“The expectations are always there, that’s not something that we can control,” he said.
“What we really want to do is to make sure that when we go out, we stay in the moment and we concentrate on what we have to do and make sure our focus is 100%.”
Sangakkara also praised the performance of openers Upul Tharanga and Tillakaratne Dilshan who hit an undefeated partnership of 229 on Saturday in the win over England, but admits those performances don’t come around too often.
“There’s no room for complacency at all and there’s no chance of that happening in anyone’s minds.
“The main reason it seemed an easier match than we expected (against England) was because our openers put on a magnificent performance – those kind of partnerships don’t come round too often.
“Tomorrow is the only day that counts at this moment. It’s a new game – it’s nothing to do with England, we are starting from square one.”
Likely Sri Lanka team: Upul Tharanga, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Thilan Samaraweera, Chamara Silva, Angelo Mathews, Lasith Malinga, Rangana Herath, Ajantha Mendis, Murali Muralidaran.
Likely New Zealand team: Martin Guptill, Brendon McCullum, Jesse Ryder, Ross Taylor, Kane Williamson, Scott Styris, James Franklin, Daniel Vettori, Jacob Oram, Tim Southee, Daryl Tuffey.
